Legislators anticipate Medicaid expansion will continue

Three Montana lawmakers, all Republicans, concurred Tuesday during a panel discussion in Kalispell that they anticipate that some form of Medicaid expansion likely will be approved during the upcoming legislative session.

Sen. Scott Sales of Bozeman, along with Flathead legislators Sen. Mark Blasdel and Rep. Mark Noland, weighed in about Medicaid expansion after a related question from a moderator during a luncheon meeting held by the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce.

Sales, Senate president, said there is a high probability that Medicaid expansion will continue in Montana. He predicted there will be changes, with the possibility of added eligibility requirements.

Noland expressed similar thoughts.

Blasdel predicted Medicaid expansion will be “the big elephant in the room” during the 2019 session, which is set to begin Jan. 7. He, too, said there need to be changes.

“How do you get some personal responsibility and accountability built into the process?” he said.

Gov. Steve Bullock’s budget proposal for the 2021 biennium includes keeping the Montana Health and Economic Livelihood Partnerships Act, which expands Medicaid in the state.

Medicaid expansion in Montana launched in January 2016. Counts suggest more than 96,000 Montana residents have been enrolled.

Meanwhile, Noland emphasized there already are more than 3,000 draft bills to be considered in 90 days as the session looms.

The legislators also talked briefly about or alluded to critical infrastructure needs, potential liquor licensing reforms and the schedule for reappraisals by the Montana Department of Revenue.

In a separate presentation during the luncheon, Chris Eyler, executive director of the Northwest Region for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, told the business crowd that President Trump’s tariff and immigration policies are hurting many American businesses.

He said the current immigration system makes it hard for people to enter the U.S. legally or to stay once they’re here.

“Businesses simply cannot find enough workers to fill the jobs they have,” Eyler said.

He said tariffs are having negative impacts for a variety of manufacturers, including automakers, as well as for agricultural producers and construction companies seeking building materials.

“We continue to be very concerned about the president’s larger trade war,” Eyler said.

Reporter Duncan Adams may be reached at dadams@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4407.